Gildan New Mexico Bowl

Washington State Cougars (6-6) vs. Colorado State Rams (7-6)Dec. 21, 2 p.m. ET, Albuquerque, N.M. (ESPN)WASHINGTON STATE COUGARS BREAKDOWNWelcome back, Wazzu.Not since beating Texas in the 2003 Holiday Bowl have the Cougars been bowling. Their time away from the postseason was a trying time in Pullman, where fans clung to little hope for several years.Those days are over.In his second season, coach Mike Leach brought the program back to respectability, re-energized the fan base and now has a chance to take another step forward against Colorado State, which is led by another second-year coach, Jim McElwain.

Bowl games are traps. If WSU treats this as the great reward for their season and doesn't prepare and take it seriously, CSU will run it down their throat.
If WSU treats this as an opportunity to make a statement and prepares properly, they will win by 35 or more.

Worst game: It's great that Washington State is playing in its first bowl game since 2003, but Colorado State is a lackluster foe. The Rams, who lost to Colorado by two touchdowns, have no quality wins. Washington State beat USC, Utah and Arizona. Mike Leach and the Cougars should roll, and it will be pretty embarrassing for the Cougs and Pac-12 if they don't.